DRUG, ALCOHOL TREATMENT CENTRE PLANS TO DOUBLE CLIENTELE

One of Abbotsford's largest drug and alcohol treatment societies is
hoping to more than double its clientele by summer.

The Psalm 23 Transition Society, founded and run by former addict
Marvin Declare, has plans in the works to open a third men's recovery
centre - this one on Lefeuvre Road - by May 1.

Declare says the 6,000-square-foot home - leased to the society by an
Abbotsford Christian couple - will have room for 20 men in Psalm 23's
year-long recovery program, as well as 30 to 50 men on an emergency
overnight basis.

In the world of recovery and shelter, Declare says those numbers are
substantial.

"This is probably one of the biggest movements that's happened in our
community," said Declare, who was featured on the front page of the
March 24 Times.

"When we take a look at what we've done with the 18 beds we have now
. . . if we can double that it would make a world of difference. It's
a real exciting time for us."

The only catch to opening the Lefeuvre Road home on time is funding.

Currently, the 18 men who receive treatment at Psalm 23's Clearbrook
Road and Melmar Avenue recovery homes pay Psalm 23 $450 per month
[men who are not on welfare pay $600 per month].

The rest of the money comes from the community.

"We're solely dependent on community support," said Declare, noting
that Psalm 23 is a non-profit organization with charitable status.

Declare says to run the program and shelter to its full potential and
open the doors of the Lefeuvre Road home, Psalm 23 will have to raise
$222,000 for its annual budget cost - or $18,500 monthly.

It's a substantial amount of money for people to donate, but
recovered user John R. Smith says Psalm 23 is worth every cent.

Prior to entering Psalm 23, Smith was an alcoholic and crack cocaine
addict for more than a decade. He was jailed several times over the
years for stealing to feed his habit.

Today, at 35, Smith is a full-time ironworker, goes to church
regularly and is a productive member of society.

"The turnaround has been amazing," said Smith, who graduated from
Psalm 23 two years ago and reached his third year of sobriety on
Monday. "I'm still talking highly of the place . . . That and AA
[Alcoholics Anonymous] helped turn my life around. It's remarkable."

There are several different ways to make contributions to Psalm 23.
The society has a rent-a-bed program for $400 per month, a feed-a-man
program for $3.23 per day and the newly introduced Starship Club,
which sees donors donate $20 per month for a year.

But Declare says any contribution - such as the snowboarding gear Mad
Dogs Sports gave the society to take the men to Manning Park - is
greatly appreciated.

To make a donation or to see Psalm 23's business and financial plan
call 604-870-5616 or e-mail psalm23society@shaw.ca. Or, check out
Psalm 23's monthly breakfast on April 15 at Mission Alliance Church at 8 a.m.